CONGRATULATIONS and greetings to the birthday celebrators in the month of March. There are two groups: the Pisces and the Aries. Those born any day from March 1 to 20 are Pisces (fish); from 21 to 31, Aries (ram). My daughter, Ma. Gina, is a Pisces. Her first of two sons, Donie, is an Aries like his maternal grandpa who celebrates March 22 as his birthday.
I know that because I see the face of that grandfather everytime I face the mirror frontally.
God bless you, dear Gina and Donie! And “Happy Birthday all the Way” from your Mama Susie now six years gone ahead of me to the other mode of existence. My paternal blessing goes with my warmest greeting to you my dearest ones! Pray for me, too, as we do to our co-members in BARP (Blessed Association of Retired Persons Foundation, Inc.)
March 19, 2019 (Tuesday) will be a very special date in Bangilo, Malibcong, Abra. The day will usher in the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the former district town that, together, with the two other former district towns Malibcong, and Mataragan forms the present Municipality of Malibcong.
On this day, the newly-built church will be inaugurated to replace the old church that was demolished as it was looked upon by concerned leaders as no more adequate to accommodate the present population. The old building was demolished to forgetfulness despite the pleading opposition of songster Elmer Apolinar Tadeo and others with him. They turned to the NCCA Commission to come to their aid, together with other artists with him who value remembering the artistic or historical achievements of one’s ancestors.
Sorry, his voice became like that of John the Baptist disappearing in the wilderness, this time in the name of “Modern Development.” “This new church building will cover the zest and sweat of our elders who devotedly built the first one of we do not do things in a way they will still be remembered,” he argued to no avail.
But, anyhow, the replacement church building has now been built to completion, in fact already started to be used to the satisfaction of the majority and as strongly supported by the local LGU, under the leadership of incumbent Mayor Romando Bacuyag, Jr. The mayor is assisted by Vice Mayor Jospeh Duggay and the Sanggunian members, finance people and engineers. They have been observed attending seminars more actively, including those convened in Baguio City.
The active cooperation of the ili and its residents is also to be much commended for the successful project. It is expected, therefore, that people, invited or not, come and witness the inaugural affair.
Awaited are representative missionary priests, and Brothers of the S.V.D. (Society of the Divine Word) and the Sisters of the S.Sp.S (Holy Spirit). So also the remnants of the early catechists of the Lacub Mission (R.C.) under the S.V.D. and the Diocese of Nueva Segovia (Vigan).
Graduates of the defunct St. Joseph School (many of them are professionals now) will handle the secretariat work for benefits of coming church history of the area.